OPPAP, TESDA ink MOA for decommissioned MILF troops

Cotabato City (September 6, 2019) — The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Friday, September 6, in Cotabato City.

Under the MOA, OPAPP and TESDA formalized their partnership, wherein both agencies jointly undertake initiatives which are in line with the implementation of the Normalization Process under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) and the Six-Point Peace and Development Agenda of Duterte administration.

The TESDA’s assistance will focus specifically in developing skills training program and providing scholarship grants that will help the former combatants find employment opportunities and earn a decent living to support their families.

“TESDA’s involvement in the decommissioning process is a demonstration of the national government’s integrated holistic approach in capacitating decommissioned combatants and helping them turn to mainstream society,” Galvez added.

Meanwhile, TESDA Secretary Isidro Lapeña thanked OPAPP and secretary Galvez in involving TESDA in helping the MILF combatants, who are set to be decommissioned on Saturday, September 7.